By: Zethu Gweva
As the month of love proceeds, Bumb’ingomso and Beyond Zero celebrate valentine’s day by raising awareness on the importance of safe sex, unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
Bumb’ingomso and Beyond Zero in partnership with the Department of Correctional Services, Department of Health and Buffalo City Metro Municipality held an event called Vital Valentine at Gompo hall in Duncan Village yesterday, to talk about issues that negatively affect the youth of BCMM. This initiative took place after the Department of Health nationally promotes condom week where all efforts and activities are towards promoting condom use.
The Spokesperson of Bumb’ingomso Pam Qavile said the purpose of Vital Valentine is to celebrate Valentine’s day with every young person from BCMM and to educate young people about the significance of self love and safe sex.
“People from the Department of health are celebrating national condom week, they are saying we must be safe from sexually transmitted diseases which is HIV and STI’s, we have our own hashtag that says #LOVEWITHOUTFEAR. Love is suppose to be something beautiful not intimidating or hurting, but we know that because of love people end up HIV positive,” said Qavile. She spoke against gender based violence, homophobia and blessers.
Conveying what Bumb’ingomso stands for Mancane Futhwa said Bumb’ingomso is an organisation that moulds young people’s future. The organisation does not only include young people but people of all ages. He also emphasised on the fact that young people have a mistake of thinking that the organisation will employ them but that is not the case.
The Operational Manager of Nursing at Correctional Services Mongameli Matoti said Bumb’ingomso has been of great help in terms educating men about the significance of testing for various diseases and involving them in services which are men-friendly to uplift them.
He added that ever since they partnered with the organisation they have been able to deal with cases and programmes that are health related.
Speaking on behalf of the Executive Mayor of Buffalo City Metro, Special Programmes Councillor Xolani Witbooi acknowledged the role played by Bumb’ingomso in trying to assist the local government in shaping the future of young people in BCMM.
“We had a session with Bumb’ingomso at the library where they were giving young people opportunities. We take this opportunity as the BCMM to say we support the idea of young people being in safe and loving relationships, and we need to remember that South Africa is one of the countries that has agreed on the 50\50 rule,” said Witbooi.